Bobbin Types for Sewing Machines

A sewing machine can seem overwhelming at times. There are so many different parts and buttons and functions. Especially for beginners, it can seem hard to get through one sewing project without pulling out the machine manual to check some point of operation. Bobbins are one aspect of the sewing machine that can be confusing. A bobbin is the small cylinder that thread is wound onto by the sewing machine. There are a number of different types of bobbins.

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Bobbin Loading Types

There are two main types of bobbins: front-loading and top-loading. Top-loading bobbins simply drop into the space underneath the foot of your sewing machine, whereas front-loading bobbins typical go into a separate, removable bobbin case. Check your sewing machine manual to see which type of bobbin you have.

Sizes of Bobbins

There are several different sizes of bobbins, generally labelled with a letter such as L, M or A. Be sure that the bobbin you purchased is sized correctly for your machine. L is the standard bobbin size for most newer machines.

Bobbin Materials

Bobbins are generally made of metal, plastic or cardboard. Metal bobbins are more common in older sewing machines, whereas plastic bobbins are used in most newer models. As long as you use the correct bobbin size, your machine should be able to use either type. Cardboard bobbins preloaded with thread are available from some manufacturers. These disposable bobbins should work in most machines.